Just bought a 1974 GMC 4905 in Arizona

DoubleEagle · April 29, 2018, 06:30:26 PM

I have the Jan 98 issue, and what I see is an article on Kitchens & Baths by John Frank and Christopher Brown of Vanture Coach. There are several sample pictures, but none of them identify which coach they are in. I have issues for most of 1994, but not Sep.

Ryker · May 04, 2018, 07:27:21 AM

RJ, do I have the "dream to drive" transmission? And funny about Luke: I pulled the sun visor down and Luke's business card was taped to the inside of the visor!

Kevin spent 2 days on it before he had to leave town. For $1,100 he diagnosed the suspension problem but did not have the time to fix it, got the oil and filters changed, and replaced the starter switch. I see that bus ownership is going to be costly! I dropped it off with Kent's Diesel Werks, and strangely, he has been working on this coach for 15 years, and even had the September 1994 magazine that he gave to me! He said he would get to it last Tuesday but still has not had the time to look at it, so I am stuck in Arizona. I have to get back to work, so considering flying home and coming back another time to get it.

Ryker · May 05, 2018, 06:26:03 AM

Made it to Indio last night and now it will not start. It just clicks to the left of the driver seat and in the engine bay. It did this last night then suddenly it started on about the 10th try but no such luck this morning. Loose connection somewhere?

luvrbus · May 05, 2018, 06:33:14 AM

Try it from the rear start with someone moving the shiftier it maybe the neutral start,they can be a little touchy if you just have a toggle switch for shifting though

John316 · May 05, 2018, 06:42:03 AM

If it clicks, it is likely your starter solenoid. While you are trying to start it, take a 2X4 or some chunk of wood. Put the wood against the solenoid on top of the starter, and take a hammer and smack the wood. You want to free that solenoid up, so it can spin the starter.

Here is the process. Have someone crank the engine, while you are repeatedly smacking the solenoid, using the end of the wood block, with a hammer. Start out gentle, and ramp it up. Most of the time, this will help it start.

Good luck,

John

luvrbus · May 05, 2018, 06:53:59 AM

With a GM bus a person needs 3 starter buttons I always hard wire a 3rd button direct to starter if dosen't start from the 3rd button then you know there are other problems JMW.
LOL John I doubt he can smack that starter with 2x4 I have a very passionate dislike (location) for a starter on a GM bus

.I will change one for friends by friends I mean almost family

busfan · May 05, 2018, 08:14:07 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on May 05, 2018, 06:53:59 AM
With a GM bus a person needs 3 starter buttons I always hard wire a 3rd button direct to starter if dosen't start from the 3rd button then you know there are other problems JMW.
LOL John I doubt he can smack that starter with 2x4 I have a very passionate dislike (location) for a starter on a GM bus .I will change one for friends by friends I mean almost family

Does that 'Button' look like the end of a large wrench? That can throw some sparks! Not recommended.. Here is a link to a cheap one https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=remote+start

luvrbus · May 05, 2018, 08:22:55 AM

Quote from: busfan on May 05, 2018, 08:14:07 AM
Does that 'Button' look like the end of a large wrench? That can throw some sparks! Not recommended.. Here is a link to a cheap one https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=remote+start

That works too

eagle19952 · May 05, 2018, 08:47:27 AM

it could just as easily be poor battery to starter ground.

a clacking solenoid often is.

poor grounds kill more than shorts.

richard5933 · May 05, 2018, 08:58:48 AM

Do you have a neutral switch over ride on the dash? My 4108 has one under a red cover. If you have one, give it a try.

luvrbus · May 05, 2018, 09:39:27 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on May 05, 2018, 08:47:27 AM
it could just as easily be poor battery to starter ground.

a clacking solenoid often is.

poor grounds kill more than shorts.

There plenty of places on a GM to have poor grounds

Ryker · May 05, 2018, 01:38:41 PM

Thanks for all of the great responses! Kevin was very helpful as well. He told me to replace all of my old battery cables and it fired up! I'm not sure that completely fixed it. We were thinking grounds too. My starter switch is touchy too, so I'll replace that. BUT I'm still in Indio! Got it running and right side is 3" off the ground. This was the problem all week but still not resolved. Missing a bump stop so it settles at night, bends the leveling valve then won't air back up. I'm at another shop in Indio to see if he can come up with something. I have a new valve but I need bump stops, and an air bag. Shaking the bugs out!

chessie4905 · May 05, 2018, 04:05:58 PM

Luke should have bump stops in stock. For rear, cut nuts off with torch. Anti seize studs on new ones. The new ones are somewhat bullet shaped but flatten with coach weight on them. Just changed mine If you have a pit, a 4108 and 4905 starter is easy to replace.

luvrbus · May 05, 2018, 04:26:28 PM

If you have a pit, a 4108 and 4905 starter is easy to replace.
[/quote]
You lucky dog I never had a GM starter go bad with the bus over a pit

Ryker · May 06, 2018, 01:39:01 PM

Just arrived at our home in Los Angeles. What a ride! Couldn't get it started again this morning. The alternator is charging at just 24.5 volts. Kevin said we will have to do some troubleshooting before replacing the alternator because it might be something other than a bad alternator.

I parked and could not open the door! We had to climb out the back window. Anybody have any ideas how to get the door open?